Lady Elks off to fast start

ELKIN - While other schools opened the season with scrimmage games, the Lady Elks did not have that privilege.

But it hasn’t seemed to slow down the team in the first two games of the season.

A young Elkin squad with no seniors has already surpassed the win total from last year after knocking off Alleghany and Wilkes Central in back-to-back games.

Against the Trojans last Wednesday afternoon, the Elks were forced to battle back after falling behind 6-1 in the fourth on a wet field at Crater Park.

Elkin rallied and reeled off 11-straight runs to grab a 12-7 lead in the bottom of the sixth.

Alleghany responded and retook the lead at 13-12 in the top-half of the seventh, forcing the Elks to battle back again.

After tying the game at 13-all, captain Bethany Turner smacked the walk-off single to center to give Elkin the thrilling 14-13 back-and-forth victory.

Kirstan Beaver recorded three RBIs and three runs scored on the afternoon, while Rebekah Cranford added a triple and a RBI. Pitcher Cayley Shomaker tacked on two doubles and three runs scored.

Elkin followed up the win with a huge 6-2 victory over 2A powerhouse Wilkes Central Friday afternoon at home.

Turner powered the Elks once again with a 3-for-3 day at the plate, including the decisive three-run homer. Shoemaker picked up her second victory of the season with a dominating performance in the circle, striking out 10 batters.

Elkin returns to the field Tuesday night against crosstown rival Starmount in softball’s Battle of the Bridge.